HWA Survey |
Purpose of survey
This survey is an opportunity to collect feedback on the management of hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA), an invasive pest that was first detected in the Halifax Regional Municipality in 2023. Municipal staff have created this survey and planned a few outreach events to provide opportunities for residents to:
- learn about the impacts HWA has had on eastern hemlock forests in other parts of Nova Scotia,
- anticipate how HWA will impact eastern hemlocks growing in the Halifax region,
- help inform the approach the municipality takes to protect eastern hemlock trees and forests in years to come.
Thank you for your contribution to this work!
Important background information
Hemlock woolly adelgid, often known as HWA, is an aphid-like insect from southern Japan. Researchers believe HWA was first brought to the eastern United States in the 1900s. HWA was first found in Canada in 2012, in Nova Scotia in 2017, and in the Halifax Regional Municipality in 2023.
HWA is invasive in eastern North America. This means HWA:
Important background information
Hemlock woolly adelgid, often known as HWA, is an aphid-like insect from southern Japan. Researchers believe HWA was first brought to the eastern United States in the 1900s. HWA was first found in Canada in 2012, in Nova Scotia in 2017, and in the Halifax Regional Municipality in 2023.
HWA is invasive in eastern North America. This means HWA:
- can easily spread,
- has no natural predators, and
- is expected to harm local species and environments.
It is estimated that HWA can kill up to 95% of eastern hemlocks it infests within 3-15 years. In many forests tree death happens very quickly. Eastern hemlocks are among the largest growing and longest-lived tree species in Nova Scotia, forming the backbone of the small amount of old growth forest left in the province. They provide many services to human, animal, and plant communities and are very valuable to supporting biodiversity and reducing climate change impacts. Without urgent action, most of the hemlock forests in the Halifax region will be badly impacted by HWA.
Luckily, the municipality can learn from the forest managers and scientists in the United States and other parts of Nova Scotia who have been working on controlling HWA for over a decade. It is currently known that chemical control is the only option to protect eastern hemlock forests and iconic individual trees in beloved places like Hemlock Ravine, Shubie Park, and Admiral’s Cove.
The suite of chemical tools available for treating hemlock trees against HWA are intended to address an ecological crisis and are temporary. It is estimated that chemical treatment will be needed for 10-15 years, requiring two to three applications. These treatments will protect eastern hemlocks while a longer-term solution is under development.
In accordance with Section 485 of the Municipal Government Act (MGA), the collection of your email address will only be used by municipal staff and, if necessary, individuals and/or organizations under service contract with the Halifax Regional Municipality for the purpose of confirming your registration as a future volunteer to help treat trees against the invasive Hemlock Woolly Adelgid. If you have any questions about the collection and use of this personal information, please contact the Access and Privacy Office at 902.943.2148 or privacy@halifax.ca.
Luckily, the municipality can learn from the forest managers and scientists in the United States and other parts of Nova Scotia who have been working on controlling HWA for over a decade. It is currently known that chemical control is the only option to protect eastern hemlock forests and iconic individual trees in beloved places like Hemlock Ravine, Shubie Park, and Admiral’s Cove.
The suite of chemical tools available for treating hemlock trees against HWA are intended to address an ecological crisis and are temporary. It is estimated that chemical treatment will be needed for 10-15 years, requiring two to three applications. These treatments will protect eastern hemlocks while a longer-term solution is under development.
In accordance with Section 485 of the Municipal Government Act (MGA), the collection of your email address will only be used by municipal staff and, if necessary, individuals and/or organizations under service contract with the Halifax Regional Municipality for the purpose of confirming your registration as a future volunteer to help treat trees against the invasive Hemlock Woolly Adelgid. If you have any questions about the collection and use of this personal information, please contact the Access and Privacy Office at 902.943.2148 or privacy@halifax.ca.